Staff Education
The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre was established in 2004 as a Treatment Centre with a remit to deliver an elective orthopaedic programme for South West London and Surrey. The aim was to create a high volume, quality focussed unit able to provide the local population with timely care in a ‘centre of excellence’ environment and is now highly regarded as an exemplar unit.
The Outcomes and Research Department was established at the same time and has amassed an outcomes database of more than 70,000 cases, which has been the basis for numerous projects and publications. The Department is also involved in Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel Compliance Studies, National Institute for Health and Care Research studies and multicentre collaborative research studies.
With the opening of the sixth theatre, SWLEOC is at the forefront of arthroplasty in the UK and is one of the highest volume units in Europe. New staff, from many disciplines, are regularly recruited, as well as Research Fellows. Many Higher Surgical Trainees rotate through the unit and Medical Students from St. George’s University regularly attend theatre.
There is a growing demand and unmet need for the co-ordination of multidisciplinary teaching and for the creation of a process to facilitate and support clinically based research projects utilising the high volume of clinical work performed by the unit.
- co-ordinating teaching of all staff at SWLEOC – Multidisciplinary (Wards/Theatres), Medical Students & Research Fellows;
- the Committee ensuring that Medical Students, attending theatre at SWLEOC, will be appropriately welcomed and allocated to specific theatres with the permission of the Lead Consultant. All Consultants will be contacted in advance to confirm whether they are happy for students to attend their theatres, and, if so, how many at a time;
- reviewing plans for the assessment of clinical techniques or implants new to the Centre.
- reviewing requests for observer-ships, electives or work experience.
- planning SWLEOC conferences;
- the Committee considering applications to perform clinically based research projects to evaluate new surgical techniques, devices or implants at SWLEOC. A standard application process will be established, and projects will be given due consideration;
- considering the feasibility of research projects, as well as what administrative support will be required. For each successful project, a start date and expected completion date will be agreed and progress regularly monitored;
- the Committee maintaining a log of all research projects and studies evaluating surgical techniques or implants, the principal investigators and the progress of each study.
Main steps to date have been the formation of the committee with appropriate representation, and the commencement of teaching for the multidisciplinary SWLEOC team and the Research Fellows. Teaching occurs monthly and is delivered by a multidisciplinary team virtually and face to face. It is available to all staff members at SWLEOC.
First meeting January 2022, then monthly zoom meetings.
- Academic surgical Unit, SWLEOC;
- Consultant, St. Georges University;
- Consultant Anaesthetics/ITU SWLEOC;
- Nurse Education Lead SWLEOC;
- Consultant, Croydon;
- Consultant, Croydon (Deputy);
- Consultant, Epsom St. Helier;
- Consultant, St. Georges Hospital Representative;
- Research Fellows SWLEOC;
- Research and Outcomes Manager, SWLEOC;
- Associate Director, Outcomes and Research, SWLEOC;
- Consultant, Audit Lead SWLEOC;
- Consultant, Director of Education; and
- Consultant, Kingston Hospital Representative.
Via monthly zoom meetings
Zoom meetings and Zoom teaching sessions from the Boardroom.
Provision of secretarial support.
Access to Boardroom for teaching. There are benefits of having face to face interaction, but virtual platforms have enabled teaching despite lack of available room space.
Worked round available slots. Teaching can be hosted via virtual platforms.
- Ensuring representation from all stakeholders;
- finding convenient time for committee meetings;
- finding convenient time for teaching sessions;
- finding sufficient lecturers to deliver the teaching; and
- clerical support.
- Working collaboratively with the Centre Education Lead to ensure a coordinated and relevant teaching plan inclusive of all staff at different levels and from a multi-professional background;
- having a structured platform for teaching to ensure maximum attendance and capturing all staff even across organisational boundaries. i.e., face to face, virtual so that training sessions can be recorded and accessed by all staff;
- engagement and collaboration for delivery of teaching from Consultants across the Integrated Care System from all Orthopaedic Subspecialities;
- clinicians having protected time within their Job Plan to either deliver or attend training sessions.
Introduction of formalised teaching for the multidisciplinary team and the Research Fellows.
Ensure representation from all stakeholders.